JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — On Saturday morning, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Police Academy buzzed with activity as the S.M.A.R.T. Motorcycle Safety Course took place. This event aimed to enhance the skills and safety awareness of motorcycle riders through direct interaction with Motor Unit officers.

The statistics are sobering. As per the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the city has already witnessed the tragic loss of five motorcyclists in crashes this year alone.

Officer Corse reiterated the troubling role that excessive speed plays in these accidents. “Slow down,” he advised, emphasizing that speed is often a critical factor in many of the crashes they analyze.

The S.M.A.R.T. program, which stands for Street Motorcycle and Riding Techniques, provides a comprehensive learning experience. Riders are paired one-on-one with motor officers to focus on vital skills such as emergency braking, slow-speed control, and hazard avoidance, all practiced on their own motorcycles.

S.M.A.R.T. stands for Street Motorcycle and Riding Techniques. The course pairs riders one-on-one with motor officers and focuses on emergency braking, slow-speed control and hazard avoidance. Participants used their own motorcycles.

Corse said running red lights combined with speeding is another dangerous trend officers see far too often.

“Speed in front of a red light is a bad combination,” Corse said. “That’s why we do the braking escape exercise. It simulates having to stop in a straight line and then avoid an obstacle. Anybody can go fast, but being able to stop that motorcycle in a designated space is what’s important.”

JSO offers the free course 10 times a year and says it’s designed for both new riders and experienced riders looking to sharpen their skills.

One participant, Raymond Alcobendas, said the training is essential after experiencing multiple close calls on the road.

“There have been more close calls than I’d like to say,” Alcobendas said. “Sometimes it’s my fault, sometimes it’s not. That’s why these courses are important — so we know how to handle those emergencies.”

JSO says instructors repeat exercises as many times as needed to ensure riders fully understand how to control their motorcycles in high-risk situations.

“We want them to take something from this course,” Corse said. “If they want more reps, we do it again and again so they can really learn the ins and outs of their machine.”

Saturday’s course was filled to capacity, but riders who missed it can register for the next S.M.A.R.T. Motorcycle Safety Course scheduled for Feb. 28.